Mychal Rivera - Signed Feb. 3, 2010
Looking for a 2010 signee who will contribute this fall? Try Mychal Rivera.
The 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, Calif., could answer a glaring need for Tennessee under first-year football coach Derek Dooley.
Take a look at the Vols' roster and there's only one proven tight end: senior Luke Stocker.
That won't do for Dooley, who would like to play two or three tight ends on most every offensive play.
"After I met with Coach Dooley and saw what kind of system he has and what he was going to run, I thought it was the perfect fit for me," said Rivera, who is enrolling at UT this week.
Rivera, who also had scholarship offers from Kansas State, South Carolina and Utah State, could have the experience and physical maturity to factor into the Vols' plans this season.
Dooley sold Rivera on that fact quickly when he popped in a tape from his old stomping grounds.
"He explained to me that he was going to use a lot of the things he was going to use at Louisiana Tech," Rivera said, referring to a roving H-back and a traditional on-the-line tight end.
"I could do all of those so there's a couple of different positions I could fit in."
Rivera played both positions in junior college last season, catching 33 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns.
Rivera described his game as balanced.
"I like my ability to be a good blocker and at the same time stretch the field and have sure hands," he said.
Rivera said Dooley also is pleased with Rivera's ability to read defenses, a skill he learned while playing slot receiver in high school. Now, Rivera wants to work on his speed and quickness.
"I like my route running but I'd always like to separate (from defenders) a little more," said Rivera, who has three years of eligibility remaining. "I read defenses pretty well. In high school . . . I didn't play a lot of tight end so I had to read the safeties, read the linebackers' movement and adjust to the coverage."
Rivera said he's been lifting weights, running, playing basketball and doing just about anything active to improve his athleticism and endurance for summer workouts.
"I'm hungry; it's my life," he said. "It's all I think about, every minute of the day, is to get on the field and make an impact. That's not even a question. I'm very hungry."
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
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Comments » 57
halloffamebowler writes:
Hungar is what we need.Hope he stays hungry.
6MillionDollarPumpkin writes:
Let's just hope that he and Stocker can compliment each other and can get open.....and catch the ball.
ThaiVolFan writes:
anything big that begins anywhere near the o-line is good. We need help in a hurry. I really like DD and his approach however, I do miss that feeling that we were in the hunt for every top-flight recruit out there. Why do i feel like the Florida's, Auburn's, and Alabama's of the world are leaving us spinning when it comes to signing top recruits?
GBO!
Lostvolinhighweeds writes:
Because you worry too much.
prideofthesouthland writes:
Is Hood on the line now? I thought he had TE ability?
VOL03_NC writes:
I hope he as a full set of sharp teeth!
georgiavol13 writes:
In response to ThaiVolFan: Give
these coaches time to make a difference and quit
your belly aching. DD didn't raid the cuppard
and he didn't empty it. Your approach is going
to scare possible recruits off.
nocleats writes:
Heres to hoping he gets himself in the best shape of his life. Then all he has to concentrate on is learning the offense.
BrandiVol writes:
I don't think we can fairly judge Dooley's recruiting ability at this point. Immediately after taking the job he had to make a priority of damage control. It would have been hard for any coach to save a recruiting class with basically two weeks until signing day and he appeared to do a decent job of it.
Maybe this time next year we will see a more accurate indication of his recruiting ability.
PrideOfTheSouthlandBand writes:
Here is the problem, i believe, with he that shall not be named from last year. The staff on defense was great, at recruiting. The ogre can't coach, that's why he was fired from Ole Miss. Grampa seemed to old and set in his ways to stop the spread. The only defensive coach we had was Lance, he just had nothing to work with because of injuries. Why on earth did we bring in the o-line coach from the raiders, and were excited about it? Who did we really have last year on offense as a coach? Kiffin? Really? He has a sub .500 career winning percentage. He was the offensive guru? I never really understood why he even tagged Chaney as offensive coordinator. Doesn't that position usually mean "Play Calling Expert"? Or is that just me... oh yeah, his wife was fine, true, but does that mean we have to hire his brother? Give these guys a chance. It takes a few years. I go to college in AR, and have to listen to them talk about all the bar-b-que talk, and listen to all the Texans try to describe how much better everything supposedly is there. If I can handle a couple of losing seasons to get back on track, you can too. This is where we man the heck up and take one on the chin this year. The foundation is there, we just need to get the transition out of KifFulm players to Dooley players. Oh and heaven forbid we actually spend a little time and get to know these guys we are giving offers this year, it's not like recruiting quality people has ever done anything for a program... oh wait... IT HAS!
TennesseeTuxedo writes:
The red-headed tuba player is showing his football prowress when he states: "That won't do for Dooley, who would like to play two or three tight ends on most every offensive play."
You only can play 3 tight ends when you have double tights and a tight end out wide, when you are running one tight tight end and two wide tight ends, or double tights and an extra tight end in an unbalanced set. Not smart tuba player. Stick to band camp stories.
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
Because they are.
Tennfan4075 writes:
Because that is exactly what is happening. You don't have to see recruiting ratings just look and see what other teams are recruiting the player. I am afraid DD is over his head.
281Vol writes:
Tennessee still has a football team?
VOLume27 writes:
Hooker is just re-re-re-re-regurgitating what DD said (yes, DD said this) some months back.
worldwideturd writes:
Perhaps we got a little intoxicated by that 45-19 butt whipping we put on the lap dogs last year. Wherever we are, you're team is not far behind.
TennesseeTuxedo writes:
A good sportswriter is going to know that is not the case and should know about the sport that he writes about.
TommyJack writes:
Is your wife named Earl?
Southland writes:
of course we are not in the running for the big time players. We have been irrelavant for the entire period that these kids have been in high school. Someone said Dooley is in over his head..you have have to be kidding on this. He is in a mess but he is not the one who made it. He was raised by a winner, he has assisted winners and all he has known is football. He will be alright if he is given time to put together a great staff and get UT's name back out in a positive way.
Volunatic writes:
In the red-headed tuba player's defense, Dooley himself has said that he would like to play two or three tight ends on almost every offensive play.
(I thought it was weird when Dooley said it, too, but maybe it will turn out to be a great, innovative offensive scheme. We'll see...)
VOLliven2it writes:
I hope Rivera works out nicely. He seems to see this as a big chance for him.(YAWN)..at all you naysayers who continue to ditch Dooley even before he has coached a game. It is getting old. Why not take your build up the FLAs,ALAs. Auburns etc. to their sites? Some of us are hoping this fall we might be alright and intend to stay around even if it is a TOUGH year. WHO ARE THE REAL FANS? Hush the "we use to get... we use to be..." talk. That's in the past. We are still the BIG ORANGE win or lose. I can't wait!!!
AtLeastMyTeamHasPerfectSeasons writes:
This kid better be ready, Dooley will need him in every game this season.
Thank God Stocker came back for his SR season...
PureOrange writes:
I hope and pray Dooley does have a good year with this team. For one, I love Tennessee, and another reason I want it so badly is to stick a sock in all these naysayers.
Dooley is class; Kiffin is a jerk.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
A smart OC can really do some damage by using the TE in the right route at the right time; same can be said for FB..Case in point...Stocker putting UT in field goal range at Bama and Austin Johnson catching a wide open ball for a TD..Big question is can this new kid really play??
hikerdude writes:
When does BB season start?
DaddyVol writes:
The Florida, Alabama, and Auburn rosters are laden with IN STATE players hungry to wear the colors of their home state school. They just have more pride and a drive to win. Not every player on those rosters are 4 and 5 star players.
Again, there are as many big cities and small farm communities across the Volunteer State, with good players just as there are in other states.
It will be up to CDD and alumni to put pressure on high school coaches across our state to raise the bar of their programs, and then to help their players see how important it is to "GIVE THEIR ALL FOR TENNESSEE TODAY."
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
I totally agree;Dooley signed no less than 6 players who will play as freshman; not just out of need but because they are talented..Iam aware that this year could be a throw away; as the vols try to rebuild from scratch..But the following year we will make some noise!!! Bray throwing to DaRick;Hunter;Meline;Teague and Rodgers; plus some decent TE will move those sticks..You can also look forward to Fulton;Stone and James to anchor a decent OL..Also we're pretty solid at RB..I will admit some of the late OL signings are pretty shaky but depth is needed..I have to look back at some of Majors recruiting styles..He normally signed 5 top flight players and the rest were 2 or 3 star kids that worked their butt off and gave 110% and found a way to win.
tnsportsman writes:
LOL good post Tuxedo!
If anyone wants to see a balanced attack with a 3 TE scheme and down the field passing to WR's: SEE COLTS and Peyton Manning!
I heard in person CDD say, 'a balance pro-style attack with a 3 TE scheme'. It was not every down plus Tennessee will have a strong SEC running game!
GO VOLS, WE ARE UT!
crimsonviper writes:
bwahaha...That was cold TJ.
DaddyVol writes:
My wife and I drove from Nashville down to Quintin Alabama yesterday searching for the grave of her grandmother.
All I can say is OMG.
If you want to see one half azz backward place...the crotch of the earth...look no further than the entire state of Alabama.
It would take me a 20 chapter book to even begin to describe that experience.
Makes the movie "Deliverance" look like a stay at the Ritz Carlton...and I just DO NOT see what those sweet people are so darned proud of!
I will gladly continue to be a BIG ORANGE FAN, and thank God I live in the beautiful VOLUNTEER STATE of Tennessee!
GO VOLS
crimsonviper writes:
I have a friend named David Dooley,sometimes I type that when I am thinking Derek Dooley.
And since you are in a corrective mood,his name is not spelled Derick...thanks for the help though.
Oh yeah,I saw your post about Ga. running the table this year..all i can say is bwahahaha..you make me laugh.... Leghumper
RockyTopRenegade writes:
Oh, testy. Showed up on this board the day CDD was hired and been running smack ever since. WTF CDD has to do with UGA is beyond me, he ran around the locker rooms before he went of to VA to play, best I can figure.
RR2 gets a little tired (as do most of the rest of us from your uninvited, ill-informed chime-ins) lays a little prognasticating smack-down and you turn all defensive. Truth hurts, huh?
Typical UGA, can talk it but can't walk it.
crimsonviper writes:
I appreciate the info Pop.
Since I don't live in Alabama,your comments would be more effective directed at someone who does. I prefer the scenery in Tennessee my self,even over the state I DO live in.
A1A writes:
Not until about the middle of the season (the smart ones on here will know both meanings behind that statement). Now...schools out for the summer and it's getting warm outdoors...why don't you go outside and enjoy a nice popsicle?
wayoutwill writes:
LMAO!
Mobbdeep4life writes:
I believe recruiting will pick up by the start of the season. Dooley is playing catch-up yet it appears that Tennessee is on the list of quite a few recruits (elite level recruits in many cases). I will be patient and see how everything unfolds. I'm positive it will work out fine just wish it were September already.
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
Bullseye!
tsaecesnitsebhtruof writes:
Was breakfast at Waffle House?
HtownVol writes:
I see these comments about UGA and Auburn and I keep thinking does anyone really think that UT is far behind either of them?
Auburn had a coach just like CDD a year ago and he turned out to be pretty good (although McClister carried that team with Tate) and he is a heck of a recruiter. Auburn is not as bad on the Line as we are, but our WRs blow theirs away...overall talent is pretty even.
And UGA well another 4 loss season and Richt is out. The UT/UGA series has been back and forth lately so UGA is in no way ahead of UT by much, check back in 8 months and my guess is we will be questioning the new UGA coach.
The only teams that UT is behind by a quite a bit right now is Bama and UF (sorry).
The Auburns, LSU's, UGA's and USC's are what a couple players better right now? With USC and UGA being closer.
So for those that say UT is down for a few years, it really will not take very much for UT to get back. 2 straight top 10 recruiting classes was a good start.
Just look at those people from Bama who think they have been on top for so long. Can you remember that game vs uummm La Lafayette or something 3 years ago. It only takes a good staff to turn it around.
Vols will be competing sooner than most think. Just support our team through this tough year. As long as they play hard and learn from CDD and staff we can trust that the future will be exciting.
RockyTopRenegade writes:
2010 9 - 3 including ANOTHER win over UGA.
We'll have the obligatory cover pic on Sports Illustrated as usual.
Probably be Luke bowling over a couple 5'7" DB's as he plows into the endzone. Ain't nothin' make a prettier picture than that deer-in-the-headlight-look of a couple of Bulldogs getting mashed flat by the ol' hobnail boot.
The headline will read "Deja Dooley - prodical son returns home to leash the 'dogs."
volzcrushm writes:
...not sure...ask Georgia.
chrisw2967 writes:
AthensNeuteredMutt
Run the table ? your out of your mind to even think that let alone post it.I live in Ga and theres nobody I have talked to thinks the way you think.Most just hope they make a bowl game.
DaddyVol writes:
Tennessee has never had more than 3 or 4 Georgia players at a time who contributed, and those 3 or 4 beat the dog mess out of all that in-state talent who lined up for Georgia.
So zip it up shid for brains.
chrisw2967 writes:
Ever who this Steele guy is , I bet he didnt have uga preseason number 1 did he ? You say no one has been able to predict CFB in May and here you are trying to do it.I bet last year he didnt predict that UGA would get drilled in Knox either ?
I doubt PS facts and your facts.You have nothing to base your facts on.Ga has a good recruiting class every year but just like Tn had with Fulmer,these recruits had nobody to coach them up. Just like Ga recruits they dont have anybody to coach them and thats a fact thats proven.If you disagree with that then tell us what Ga has won with Richt?
tnsevol writes:
Here's a fact - with all their home grown atheletes UGA still has a loosing record against TN
tnsevol writes:
and with all your Georgia athletes you still have a loosing record against TN.. JUST SAYIN
tnsevol writes:
watch, homerpup will type 500 words and drop 600 stats on you, trying to spin his way out. But UGA still has a loosing record against TN. It just kills him too
tnsevol writes:
well he's been yelling about how Georgia players made UTs football program, but he can't explain how UGA (with a team full of Georgia players) has a LOOSING record against UT. Seems the team with the most Georgia players is on the loosing end. That FACT alone dispoves his entire argument
tnsevol writes:
and Georgia (with all their Georgia players) has a loosing record against Tennessee. How do you explain that? Must be the coaching
tnsevol writes:
translation - you can't defend your argument. That's what I thought, and about what I expected from a UGA grad.
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